Ikebana and us

As our Chennai Sogetsu Group grows larger, we find that accommodating all of us into a residence, along with our vases and material, is becoming a real squeeze. The Group decided to use the hall at the ABK-AOTS Dosokai centre on Nelson Manickam road. ABK-AOTS has been a wonderful patron for our group, and once again extended a helping hand by giving us one of their business meeting rooms for a nominal fee. As we arrived, we found that tables had been put out, buckets of water were ready and all we had to do was get down to our ikebana! It was a pleasure to have Mrs Lan Minagawa, Mrs Suzuki and Mrs Keiko from the consulate as guests at our workshop. We started off with a short presentation on the materials of Chennai, their botanical names and some possible materials that we could use in the future as well. Hopefully, this exercise will help us at our next exhibition when we look to make a note of the materials we have used in the arrangements. Demonstration The highlight of the m...

After our summer break, the Sogetsu group reconvened for a new year of activity, discovery, friendship and creativity at Shobhaa's home. Our gracious hostess had made immaculate arrangements right from the garden tables for us to work on, flowers from Yercaud and a cosy little room for us to watch Padma aunty's demonstration. I think it was full house, with the exception of Venkatesh and Pushkala, and after the initial catching up with the summer news, we settled down to watch Padma sensei at work. Her first piece was an all-round low arrangement with roses. The ladies were delighted with the choice of material as we all tend to avoid roses because of their short life. But we should use them more, as nowadays the new hybrid varieties seem to have a longer life as cut material. Click on any of the photos to see the arrangements in greater detail. Aerial view, without flash Frontal view - with flash Another view, again with flash For her second composition, Padma aunty disp...

This lily bloomed on my balcony to welcome the rains and signal the end of summer here in Chennai. The cooler weather also means that we can get back to our Ikebana!

Futurity.org – Mother Nature issues a wake-up call Mother Nature issues a wake-up call Posted By Susan Hagen-Rochester On June 4, 2010 @ 11:14 am In Society & Culture | 3 Comments U. ROCHESTER (US)—Being outside in nature makes people feel more alive—and that sense of vitality exists above and beyond the energizing effects of physical activity and social interaction, new research shows. “Nature is fuel for the soul,” says Richard Ryan, professor of psychology at the University of Rochester [1] and lead author of a series of studies. “Often when we feel depleted we reach for a cup of coffee, but research suggests a better way to get energized is to connect with nature,” he says. Details are published in the June 2010 issue of the Journal of Environmental Psychology. [2] The findings, adds Ryan, are important for both mental and physical health. “Research has shown that people with a greater sense of vitality don’t just have more energy for things they want to do, they are also more...

Its time for a rhyme I think, two days went by in a blink. To Yercaud we went No, not in a tent But to a bungalow with flowers so pink. Seeta was our hostess so gracious, efficient, warm and vivacious. We chattered and laughed Bantered and argued With appetites so voracious!! Butterflies and birds was my quest, But Ashoka was numerologically-obsessed. Mom wanted to see a bison And Prerana insisted on being human! Padma aunty sat serenely While Vaishali giggled incessantly. Dally listened to all the prose Venkatesh, was ever-ready with a pose. Meenu was practical and tactical in dealing with all the views so radical! The jacarandas were in bloom Lavender oil spread its perfume. The hill bananas were such a treat Teneri honey a trifle bittersweet. A casual collection of all of this Made for a composition I'm glad I did not miss. See the magic of the sensei's hands As she brought together disparate strands. I speak not only of the flora artistically composed But also us opposites...

Keith Stanley has some useful information and tips on no-kenzan fixtures, using wire, etc. There is a link to a PDF file that gives more detailed instructions as well. No-kenzan fixtures-Part One | SOGETSU ATELIER Part - Two

Sogetsu Ikebana 2010 - a set on Flickr Here are the pictures from our exhibition. If any arrangement is missing, please let me know, and I will add it!